Hi allCan someone please enlighten me on the approach procedures for arriving at the airport if the airport does not have STARs. The airport is equipped with ILS / VOR DME approaches but how does one actually arrive at the airport if there is no STAR procedures.Thanks!

I'm sure it's just radar vectors from ATC or direct to a VOR then vectors. At KTUS here we only have a STAR for arrivals from the northwest and when planes come from other directions it's usually direct to the TUS VOR and expect radar vectors... You don't need a STAR to arrive at an airport - they're just helpful on high traffic routes so that the controller doesn't have to constantly issue commands to a ton of planes...

STAR is nothing but a standardized procedure just like your enroute lateral navigation plan for crowded terminal areas. Nothing more.In non crowded, non terminal areas.. you do your own way of approaching to the IAF (initial approach fix). Usually from the last enroute VOR/Waypoint to the IAF (Direct or via transition if mentioned in the approach plate) of any of the approaches. And you would probably be cleared without any issue by "HAL" (The big computer somewhere that issues clearences) . ;)Just make sure.. there are no mountains and buildings on the way from your last enroute fix to the IAF.What you may be thinking is (this is just my speculation in reading your mind) is altitude. "How am I going to descend from my enroute altitude to the Approach". If that is what you are thinking. seperate these two. all the enroute plans and stars are primarily for lateral navigation not Altitude with one exception (altitude restructions/Minimum and maximums). You will be flying the altitude that was given for the most part..and you would/should have been requested to descend even before you reached your last enroute VOR/waypoint making it nice and easy to join the IAF of the approach (ILS/VOR....).Does that make sense?Manny

It is not necessary to have a STAR directly for your destination. You might also be able to use a STAR if one exists to get in the vicinity of your destination (such as feeder suburban airports around a major hub that has a STAR especially if your destination lies in the STAR's vicinity. You just use the STAR to a waypoint that will provide a decent minimum altitude and route for your transition to the IAF minimum altitude and position as shown on your approach plate.Many times also an IAF will will lie on a low altitude airway. The minimum enroute altitudes on those routes should provide a good transition. If you are coming in at high altitude you may find a common waypoint on a low altitude airway to take you to the IAF if you do not want vectors.Also do not forget the 25nm minimum structural altitude circle surrounding a navaid at your destination as shown on the approach charts to use as guidance.